Growing up on a farm in southwest England, Tracey Elliot-Reep struggled through school with severe dyslexia. When her family experienced the ravages of divorce, the only place Tracey found stability and acceptance was with the ponies on her mother’s stud farm.
By the time she was nineteen, Tracey had lived and worked in several countries caring for animals. One day, after hitchhiking to Jerusalem, Tracey asked Jesus to make her new and help her find her purpose in life.
Tracey continued to work around the world as a photographic journalist until her main client “went bust, owing [her] thousands of pounds,” at which point she started her own business selling her photos as postcards. During the early stages of her business, some friends asked her to join them at Andrew Wommack’s Grace and Faith Conference. Too busy to really commit, God dropped Philippians 2:3 into Tracey’s heart, and she found herself attending.
“God needed me at that conference,” Tracey says. “While I was there, He put the desire to go to Charis Bible College in my heart.” Months later, with little money, no green card, and no means of support, she arrived in Colorado Springs with her entire life’s savings. “I had enough money for two months,” she recalls, “until God told me to trust Him and give those funds to someone else.” Undaunted, Tracey began to personalize Romans 4:20 and declare it everywhere she went. “I am growing strong in faith, giving You praise and glory, fully convinced that what You have promised, You will also do.”
Soon an international children’s book publisher contacted Tracey with an offer. “They liked my photographic work and asked me to come up with some ‘learning to read’ books for kids. Me? I thought. Do you realize you’re asking someone who’s struggled with dyslexia? But they took five of my book ideas and offered me a $9,000 advance.” Since she was working with an international company, Tracey could legally accept their offer and pay for all of her expenses in the U.S.
While at Charis, Tracey developed a firm foundation in the Word and gained the publishing experience she would need. “For the past ten years, God has ridden with me on cross-continental rides, from the top of Scotland to Lands’ End in England, around Southern Ireland, across Wales, the length of New Zealand, through southern Europe on the Pilgrim’s Trail, and along the Rockies from Mexico to Canada. I have published photographic books chronicling my adventures with God.”
“My time at Andrew’s Bible college was the most important step of obedience I’ve taken. It changed my life and gave me the confidence I needed to walk by faith. I know that when God gives me an assignment, He believes I can do it, and so I can!”
To learn more about Tracey and her amazing faith adventures, visit her website traceyelliotreep.com.
